News And Announcements
UK govt Covid loans close to £52bn as CBILS hit new high
The UK government has lent almost £52bn to businesses fighting the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic with more than 121,000 firms applying for Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans (CBILS) in the week to August 9 - a new record.
US small business optimism deteriorates amid Covid-19
Small business sentiment in the US deteriorated in July as coronavirus cases rose, according to the latest survey from the National Federation of Independent Business.
German investor sentiment improves in August
German investor sentiment improved in August, according to the latest survey from the ZEW Center for European Economic Research in Mannheim.
Heathrow July traffic down 88% as airport slams quarantine rules
Passenger numbers at London's Heathrow Airport slumped 88% in July as bosses said coronavirus quarantine rules were "strangling the economy.
UK employment falls at fastest rate in more than a decade
UK employment fell at its fastest rate in more than a decade between April and June, while wages shrank as the Covid-19 pandemic took its toll, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday.
Retail sales rise but outlook bleak - BRC
Retail sales rose for the second month running in July after Covid-19 restrictions were relaxed but the industry said the outlook remained bleak as many store owners struggled to survive.
HMRC investigates tax affairs of over 200 footballers
Up to 248 footballers are being investigated by HMRC regarding their 2019-2020 tax affairs, said accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young on Monday.
Up to 30% of UK firms see job cuts as Covid-19 support winds down
Up to third of UK employers expect to axe jobs between July and October, according to a new survey, indicating the number of workers under threat from the coronavirus impact is rising.
UK footfall boosted by 'Eat Out to Help Out' scheme
Footfall across UK high streets was boosted last week by the government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme, according to data released on Monday by retail analysts Springboard.
Goldman upgrades US forecast on vaccine prospects
Goldman Sachs upgraded its outlook for US economic growth in early 2021 based on at least one Covid-19 vaccine being approved by the end of 2020.
China factory price inflation eases in July
China's factory prices fell at a slower pace in July as oil prices and industrial activity rose, fuelling signs of recovery in the world's second-biggest economy.
TikTok threatens legal action over Trump ban
TikTok has threatened legal action against the US after President Donald Trump ordered firms to stop doing business with two Chinese apps within 45 days.
Sunak rules out furlough extension, says UK won't hesitate on quarantines
UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday ruled out an extension to the government’s coronavirus furlough scheme, saying it could not carry on indefinitely.
BoE's Bailey sees long road to recovery
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey warned there was a long, uncertain road to get the economy back on track after the central bank published more upbeat forecasts for 2020.
Halifax house price index registers record high in July
House prices across the UK hit their highest mark in the history of the Halifax house price index in July, adding to the emerging view that the market is experiencing a surprising spike post lockdown.
Goldman Sachs thinks markets underpricing odds for Covid-19 vaccine before year end
Goldman Sachs thinks the world will be in a very different place in three months' time on at least three front, so much so that investors' expectations for the outcomes will likely set the tone for trading until then.
German factory orders surge in June
German factory orders surged in June although volumes were still much lower than before the coronavirus pandemic, according to provisional figures released by Destatis on Thursday.
High Street footfall rises in July, buoyed by hospitality sector
Britain's hospitality sector proved to be vital to the survival of the High Street in July, with footfall rising by a fifth last month.
BOE stands pat on rates; says recovery will take longer
The Bank of England stood pat on interest rates on Thursday as it said the UK's economic recovery will take longer than previously thought.
UK construction PMI rises at fastest rate since October 2015
Output in the UK construction sector expanded in July at its steepest pace since October 2015 but more jobs were lost, according to data released on Thursday.